So, the children are back to school. Where on earth did the summer go?

We hope you’ve all had a good one. I have to say, I think we had one of the best summers, which somehow makes that first step back to normality just a little bit harder.

But then… there’s autumn.

The darker, cosier evenings. That faint smell of autumn in the air. The feeling that perhaps it’s time to slow down a little and settle into a new rhythm.

There’s a lovely line in You’ve Got Mail where Tom Hanks talks about autumn in New York making him want to buy school supplies and send a “bouquet of newly sharpened pencils”. There’s something about that feeling that I completely understand. That sense of a new season beginning and everything feeling fresh again.

And actually, I’m quite excited for autumn.

The cosy fires, curling up with a good book, hot chocolate, crisp mornings and those lovely mellow days when the leaves start to turn. Dark skies and star gazing, Halloween and pumpkins, and all those little things that make this time of year feel so special.

I was cooking some blackberries in the kitchen the other day and, for just a small moment, my thoughts even turned to Christmas.

I know. Far too early.

But perhaps that’s the joy of this time of year. There’s always something lovely just around the corner.

And I’m definitely in full back-to-school mode. I’ve opened up the booking calendar for next year, ordered some lovely new goodies and found some gorgeous new suppliers for the cottage.

There are also some very exciting updates happening at The Green… but I’m not giving too much away just yet.

Watch this space.

So, goodbye summer and hello autumn. We’re ready for you at The Green, Lastingham. North York Moors. x

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